WATERFRONT Enterprise Board chairman Gerald Voisin says he will step down from his role as soon as an alternative structure for WEB has been decided.
Despite the fact that Mr Voisin’s contract as chairman does not end until 20 August next year, he has said that he will step aside to make way for a ‘stronger company structure’ if Comptroller and Auditor General Chris Swinson recommends it.
But it is also understood that pressure is mounting from senior politicians for Mr Voisin to go, with a States debate into the removal of WEB States directors and the chairman due this week.
Yesterday Mr Voisin released a statement hours after the findings of Mr Swinson’s investigation into WEB’s procedures were announced. Mr Swinson’s interim report said that Mr Voisin should have declared to WEB his appointment to the board of AIB CI Ltd, a subsidiary of the bank backing developers Harcourt.
He said that although Mr Voisin’s connection with AIB CI did not represent a conflict of interests as defined by the Companies Law, it would have been ‘wise’ for him to declare his position.
The report also recommended that the States review their customary practice of appointing politicians onto the WEB board because it could produce a conflict of interests.
Mr Voisin’s statement said that he accepted the findings. ‘I hope that the Comptroller and Auditor General’s final report produces a revised structure for WEB which will create a stronger company structure for the future,’ he said.
‘I am committed to working to bring these changes to fruition and as soon as they are in place I reaffirm my commitment to step aside from the current role to allow the chairman of the revised company to be selected in an open appointment process.’
Mr Voisin’s appointment as chairman in August 2006 was considered controversial by some States Members when he was selected behind closed doors and not through the normal channels of the Appointments Commission.
Yesterday Mr Voisin said that he only ever saw his role as a temporary one and knew that he would be replaced when the time was right.
‘When I accepted the role as interim chairman of WEB it was on the understanding that it would be short term until an alternative structure could be agreed for WEB.’
Mr Swinson is continuing to investigate the general adequacy of corporate governance within WEB and whether the board took account of all reasonable commercial evidence when making decisions. This will be released in a following report.
Article posted on 2nd July, 2008 - 2.59pm
Most Commented: